Free Spirited

By LaTisha Francis

A young poet's words inspires, motivates and frees her Spirit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dunn Deal Publishing
• Release date: Nov 4, 2012
• ISBN: 9780984947621

LaTisha Francis

I was born in Fort Hood, Texas, now currently living in Waverly Hall, Ga. I attend Columbus State University, completing a bachelor’s degree in General Communications. I started writing poetry at a young age, providing an oasis to deal with the struggles of becoming a woman. Through the trials and pressures of life, I wanted to help not only myself, but others to reach their moment of being free spirited. While writing, visions of becoming an inspired author came later in life with the support of family, friends, and mentors. Emotions are behind every word I write, which throughout the years helped me grasp a better understanding of myself. God has been my stronghold, offering me opportunities to express my thoughts through the art of poetry.

Book preview

Prologue:

My ears ache as I hear the school bells ring like once before. Remind me of way back when things were less than ordinary. I peer in through the glass windows, seeing the scenery of my old lunchroom, everything like it was before. Here come the students… and how jubilant they are… restless to get a breath out of their ABCs and 123s. In groups, they crowd around their lines, ready to be served another delicious afternoon meal. They gossip, they laugh, they stare at whoever crosses their path… and they laugh some more. Pants sagging, jeans tightly wrapping, underwear shown, and lipstick badly put on. How fly they look… how dope they appear, with their swag and jewelry shown from hand to ear. Yep, just like I remember… accept one child. She stands towards the back of the line, not at all involved in their conversations. Nicely dressed, pressed for success from head to toe. Hair neatly done, braids pulled back in a tight bun… with a single bow for decoration. The smallest of them all, the littlest to be spotted, but how lonely she looks. From where I’m standing, you can see the wideness of her eyes expand, keeping herself from crying. She looks around, noticing the smiling faces, noticing the jocks, the pretty girls, the nerds, the band geeks… shall I go on? I see her making her way through the line, about to grab her nourishment. She makes it to the lunch lady, giving her the lunch money, and on she walks, hesitant to find a seat. Every seat, filled with formed groups, ready to make fun of the next person to cross their turf. Yep, looks like she’s next. As she squeezes between tables to find a seat, snickers and whispers surround her all about. Groups of guys pointing at her flat figure, doll shoes and collared shirt. Even her first crush made a quick remark about her appearance. A foot quickly arises from outside the table… oops, she almost fell, but she made it. Obnoxious laughter fill the room, girls twitching their head back and forth, amused, and trying to get a guy’s attention. Her cheeks turn a deep red, filled with shame and embarrassment, yet no one took up for her foolish harassment. I see her making it to her seat, vacant and empty… far off from where everyone else, sitting nearest the teachers. Warm smiles of acknowledgment fill the souls of her heroes as she glances over at them. Slowly, she looks back at her lunch plate, to her peers, and at her tray again. I watch as she clinches her fists… despair brought about her oh so directly. I watch while I’m saying to myself, ‘Just pull it out, darling. Pull it out and everything will be okay.’ Only seconds before a single tear escapes from her lashes, she looks around her. First left, then right… then she pulls it out. Her back pocket held her pad of loose leaf, with a pencil to match. All I do is smile and gaze at this memory as she pushes her tray aside and starts to write.

‘That’s right, darling. Write… just write.’

And she smiles

… Welcome to my life…

Part 1: Just A Seed

*Free Spirited-Interlude*

Dark ebony halls surrounding my scenery with no slightest notion of my destination, preparation to a world beyond any reason. I yell, with my voice echoing off to the distance, persistence to my reality. Left, then to my right, then I wander and wonder with adolescent eyes, ties to an unexpected journey. I proceed, with the unexpected sounds of music so soothing, oozing from my top to my very bottom where I plant my soles. Browns closed, body swaying to every melody played, graced on all ways of peace. A river line spreads across with the joy of every note, wrote from the likes of God’s hand. Rays of bright shine dance around me, freely as it plays… don’t stop playing, praying for the day that I will finally be Free Spirited.

My Day Will Come Sooner

Written: February 13, 2006

Age: 15

If the sky was much bluer

if the grass was much greener

if days were much quicker

my day would come sooner

If you could come a little closer

if I could move a little over

if I could at least touch your shoulder

my day would come sooner

If my thoughts were a bit deeper

if my flow was much smoother

if writing this was easier

my day would come sooner

If seeing you was merrier

if my heart beat a little faster

if the nightingale sang a little louder

my day would come sooner

If you saw the light much sooner

if you knew your thoughts were grander

if your chances with me were higher

my day would come sooner

Now… my thoughts of you are shorter

but I see you and I’m happier

wish my hours with you were longer

wish my day would come sooner

A Sure Rejection

Written: November 6, 2006

Age: 16

One minute, I’m joyous and happy

then the next, I’m worried and scared

I’m beginning to fear the worst

this is news not meant to be shared

My heart use to pound so quickly

but now it hardly beats at all

the fear of a sure rejection

doesn’t have me rise, but fall

This can’t be happening; this can’t be true

I’m dreaming this can’t be real

I’ve tried to avoid this, it came by surprise

this wasn’t part of the deal

What did I do? Was it something I did?

Was ‘me’ not good enough for you?

You said I was, or were you lying?

Did those words come out of the blue?

I hate to be negative, I want to positive

We’ve been through a lot, don’t you know?

I wanted you, so now you say it’s time I go

Why can’t we make this relationship grow?

We just got started, we’ve only just begun

our time isn’t over yet

after all this that’s been going on

you’ve listened to your friends I bet

What happened to no listening to rumors?

What happened to trust and belief?

What happened to those sweet things you’d say to me?

Now, all of a sudden you want to leave?

I’ve worked my heart, my sweat, my tears

to have you back in my life

and I did, and everything was fine, divine

now, you’re threatening my heart with a knife

I don’t want to lose you again

you all I have from within

my fountains of tears pour out to you

it’s proof, I care you for you. It’s true

I want more days, more weeks

more months, even years

no other can take your place, not one

no other can change how I feel

Please don’t walk away from me

I need you, can’t you see?

We belong together, none can compare

you leave? don’t dare, it wouldn’t be fair

You’ve all I’ve got, don’t leave me here

You’re my heart, without you I’m nothing

with my arms, I held you, so close, so right

what would I do to have you with me? Anything!

My Bubble

Written: November 19, 2006

Age: 16

My doubts, my fears

those things that add to my trouble

they build up so tremendously

it’s like being trapped in a bubble

A bubble so big

it gets larger and larger

the closer I get

you get farther and farther

One by one the tears fall

it’s like nobody cares

I’m reaching for your hand

where are you? Are you there?

Save me from this bubble

this trap, this prison